Aden (South24 Center)

 Two crew members were killed on board the Cameroon-flagged gas tanker 'Falcon' that caught fire on Saturday in the Gulf of Aden off the coast of Abyan governorate, maritime and international sources reported. Of the 26 crew on board, 24 were safely rescued, as the ship remains ablaze and adrift off the coast of Yemen as of Monday evening.

Sources told South24 Center that Israel may be behind the attack, within the context of broader regional tensions, though no official statement or intelligence confirmation has been issued to date.

Specialized shipping tracking reports indicate that the 'Falcon' was carrying liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and is believed to have been part of a fleet transporting shipments linked to Iran.

The Associated Press, citing the US Navy's Joint Maritime Information Center (JMIC), reported that preliminary investigations indicate the “incident resulted from an explosion deemed as an accident” and was not caused due to "external factor/influence," despite initial announcements by British monitoring centers that the ship had been "struck by an unidentified projectile."

The center clarified that most of the crew were of Indian nationality with one Ukrainian. Twenty-four of the crew were rescued by response vessels and transported to Djibouti, while two succumbed to their injuries.

The European Union Naval Mission (EUNAVFOR Aspides) confirmed that the ship remains on fire and adrift at sea, with a private salvage company set to undertake towing operations. Warnings remain in effect for vessels to avoid proximity due to explosion risks.

According to Lloydlist.com, the Falcon’s ultimate destination was the Houthi-held port of Ras Isa, it said citing Verification and Inspection Mechanism for Yemen (UNVIM). It also said that the incident comes a month after an Israeli drone attack on an LPG tanker carrying Iranian gas bound for the Houthis, at Ras Isa.

In April 2021, Israel carried out a naval attack targeting the Iranian ship 'Saviz' in the Red Sea. The vessel, flying the Iranian flag, was reportedly used as a monitoring station and logistical support base for the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps near Yemeni coasts.

The explosion, executed using a magnetic naval mine, caused severe damage to the ship's hull. The attack was then considered part of the ongoing "shadow war" between Israel and Iran at sea, which has included strikes on cargo ships and oil tankers suspected of transporting materials or supplies for Tehran and its regional allies.

The latest incident occurs amid a decline in Houthi maritime attacks since the Gaza ceasefire began on October 10, following a series of assaults targeting commercial vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden over recent months.

The 'Falcon, , was sailing east of Aden when the fire erupted at 07:50 GMT, according to satellite images released by Planet Labs, which show flames and significant damage to pipelines on the ship's deck.